Backbone > Ear Whacks

Nightlife Highlights 12-03
by DJ Wavy Davy

PEACH JAM
DECEMBER 5. PeachJam is a rotating ensemble fronted by bassist/vocalist Tommy Booth, who came this close to hitching up with the Allmans. The band also channels Garcia, Elmore James, and other legends as they play non-stop for three to four hours each gig. The line-up at this New World jamboree includes guitarists Dave Skoglund and Steve Siktberg, vocalist Jon Morehead and drummer Tony Parker. No wallflowers, please. 9PM. Free. Saugerties-Woodstock. (845) 246-0900. WWW.NEWWORLDHOMECOOKING.COM

BEENIE MAN
December 5. Jamaican dance-hall artists go under a variety of labels—DJs, toasters, MCs—but competition for “top lion” is always fierce. Within 10 years the mantle has passed from the late Garnet Silk to Luciano, Buju Banton and Capleton, but Beenie retains the crown since his international smash “Who Am I.” If you like real dance-hall reggae “hot pepper style,” then grab your mamfi and wind-and-grind your way to this blazing show at The Chance. 9PM. $35/$30 advance. Poughkeepsie. (845) 471-1966. WWW.BEENIEMAN.NET

BARD COLLEGE HOLIDAY CONCERTS
DECEMBER 10, 16. Bard spent millions on the Frank Gehry-designed Fisher Arts Center. Now you can go for free. The Bard College Community Chorus and Chamber Singers, under the direction of assistant professor James Bagwell, performs Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass on December 10. The Bard College Community Orchestra, with the chamber singers, will perform Mendelssohn and Bach on the 16th. No big box store offers a gift like this. 8PM. Free. Annandale-on-Hudson. (845) 758-7900. WWW.BARD.EDU

CHRIS SMITHER
DECEMBER 12. The legs on Chris Smither’s guitar have walked from New Orleans to New York, Boston to Mexico, and are still tangled up in blues. A ‘60s Dylan contemporary (Smither and Bonnie Raitt cover “Desolation Row” on his latest Hightone relase, Train Home), he followed his heroes with his heart until he learned their licks. Forty years later Smither still croons a seasoned tune, and celebrates the album’s release at the Towne Crier. 9PM. $17.50/$15 advance. Pawling. (845) 855-1300. WWW.SMITHER.COM

JUDY COLLINS HOLIDAY CONCERT
DECEMBER 13. Suddenly all eyes (and ears) are on Beacon, home to the new Dia museum, the Beacon Cultural Foundation’s old Beacon High space, and the Theater at the new Beacon High School. This 996-seat venue catches the wave of the city’s meteoritic rise to artistic mecca, with a little holiday magic. The legendary Ms. Collins presents a mix of traditional holiday favorites (featuring a local choir) plus some of her greatest hits. Proceeds benefit the Beacon Arts and Education Foundation. 8PM. $35/$32, plus $75 gala tickets. (845) 838-6980x3420. WWW.JUDYCOLLINS.COM

DAVID “FATHEAD” NEWMAN QUINTET
DECEMBER 20. Ulster resident Newman, a non-stop bandleader and touring musician for 50-plus years, alights on The Uptown to surely rock the house. Newman flows easily between jazz and soul (he played for years with Ray Charles) and is respected on both sides of the aisle. Be sure to put this one on your Advent calendar. With John Menegon on bass, Tani Tabbal on drums, and others. (See Jonathan King’s August ‘02 interview with Newman online in the back issues archive at www.chronogram.com.) 8PM. $15. Kingston. (845) 339-8440. WWW.DAVIDFATHEADNEWMAN.COM

NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH SOÑANDO
December 31. Now a holiday tradition, the dazzling West Strand Grill serves up one of New Year’s best soirees, opening both floors all night. Upstairs expect hip-hop from the balcony, but Soñando melts the walls downstairs with their non-stop barrage of salsa, meringue, and Latin jazz. Not for the Dick Clark set. 10PM. $25. Kingston. 340-4272. WWW.SONANDO.NET